Delegates from the conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod agreed on Thursday to continue its cooperative relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church despite the latter body's latest decisions on sexuality.

While the LCMS believes the ELCA's action last year to allow partnered homosexuals on the clergy roster is contrary to Scripture, the synod approved a resolution, affirming that "cooperation in externals with other Lutheran churches, including the ELCA, continue with theological integrity."

At the same time, LCMS delegates called on the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to "develop more in-depth theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors, determining what would necessitate termination of such cooperative efforts." more >>

The head of the second largest Lutheran body in the country greeted delegates over the weekend with a note of affirmation that they are the front-line defenders of biblical truths.

While lamenting the liberal direction that their sister body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and The Episcopal Church have taken in recent years, Gerald B. Kieschnick – president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod – thanked his denomination for uniquely preserving the Gospel. more >>

The Reformed Church in America adopted a resolution expressing "concern" over the Evangelical Lutheran Church's controversial action to allow partnered homosexuals to be on the clergy roster.

The resolution was approved during the RCA's 204th General Synod, which concluded Tuesday.

It comes nearly a year after the ELCA's highest legislative body voted to permit persons who are in "life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships" to serve as clergy. The ELCA also adopted a social statement on human sexuality, acknowledging that there is no consensus in the denomination on homosexuality and recommending that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to recognize same-sex relationships. more >>

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently agreed to an "equal partnership of Christian fellowship" with the Church of Christ in Thailand, the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

The two church bodies have worked together for more than three decades and decided to ink their partnership in the spring. The bilateral agreement became effective in June.

"The Church of Christ in Thailand has taken the initiative to develop a 'Memorandum of Understanding' to guide its relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director, ELCA Global Mission, according to the denomination's news service. "The memorandum is a sign pointing to the strong relationship between our churches, which is firmly grounded in our partnership in the gospel and our common call to mission." more >>